Vultures Swarm Neighborhood In North Carolina

Hundreds of vultures have been swarming a neighborhood in North Carolina this week, causing quite a bit of uneasiness among its residents.

Neighbors and officials in Shelby County aren’t quite sure what, if anything, they should do about the massive group of turkey vultures perched in the trees throughout Peach Street. The birds have not caused harm, instead spending most of their time circling the treetops or sleeping among the branches.

According to WSOC-TV, it might be due to unseasonably warm weather conditions. Turkey vultures migrate south during the winter. The birds may be swarming the neighborhood until the temperature drops.

Kristen Duren with the Cooperative Extension, a state agriculture service, spoke about the situation:

“We are just not getting cold enough to push them along. What used to be five to 10 birds is going up to 150 birds.”

An article by NBC News writes that the residents of Peach Street are not in any danger. Turkey vultures are scavengers, feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals.

They won’t attack animals or children, preferring to eat trash or pet food left outside. However, the sight of them in such a large quantity makes many neighbors uncomfortable.

Resident Natolyn Brown commented on the sheer creepiness of the vultures:

“I don’t know, I guess it reminds me of the Hitchcock movie.”

Shelby County residents have been discouraged from attempting to remove the birds themselves. In the United States, turkey vultures fall under legal protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

You can watch the vultures and hear reactions from the neighborhood in the video below: